The hurdles involved them navigating around a set of tyres and jumping over small frames to reach the end.

The Sheep Olympics at Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester

For the shot put, the animals walked across a small drawbridge, which released a catch on the mechanism and fired balls in the air. And the long jump saw the sheep run up a little ramp and jump.

The winners of all events even received their own gold medals. And visitors also got a chance to bet on the sheep.

Richard said: “We have been holding sheep races for a number of years and they have always proved to be very popular. This time we thought we would get into the Olympic spirit and do something linked to the games.

Crowds at the Sheep Olympics at Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester

“I trained the sheep for about a month and it wasn’t that hard. If you put a big bucket of food at the end, they love it and really fly.

“Our visitors seem to have enjoyed it.”

Among the spectators were Anita and Ralph Wilson and their two children Riley, six, and Sam, three.

Anita, 36, from Stanley, said: “We came along for a day out and we knew the sheep Olympics were going to be on. My boys love animals as it is, so for them this was a real treat. They thought the sheep were really cute. It was good fun.”

The Sheep Olympics at Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester, Richard Darlington with gold medallist Faster Than You

Wendy Porter, 66, of Lanchester, brought her grandchildren Kyle, seven, and Daisy, three, to the event on Sunday.

She said: “I think the sheep Olympics were a brilliant idea. The children absolutely loved it, even though the sheep we were supporting didn’t win. We had picked Fleece Lightening to win the hurdles but Faster Than Ewe came first.

“We have seen the sheep races at the farm before and this was a fantastic way to build on that. It made things more fun for families. I think they should definitely do it again.”

Richard and Marie Hampton, of Consett, also came with their grandchildren Chloe, nine, and Harry, six.

Richard, 63, said: “This was quite a creative thing to do. I was intrigued as to exactly how they were going to get the sheep to do all these things. But it was all cleverly done.

“Our grandchildren really enjoyed it and the atmosphere was good. There were people really cheering for their sheep to win. It was great.”